Adjustable seat covers for high or low back seats

ABSTRACT

An adjustable seat cover capable of fitting low-back and high-back automobile seats. The seat cover includes a back portion having upper and lower rear panels, the bottom edge of the upper rear panel extending below the top edge of the lower rear panel. A plurality of spaced-apart straps extends from the top edge of the upper rear panel and one or more straps extend from the bottom edge of the upper rear panel. The straps both secure the cover to the seat as well as providing for and maintaining a smooth, custom-fit appearance when the cover is installed on both low-back and high-back seats.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to automobile seat covers, and moreparticularly to automobile seat covers capable of fitting a variety ofautomobile seat configurations.

[0002] Automobile seats, in particular so-called bucket style orbucket-type seats, typically come in two general designs: high-back andlow-back seats. Low back seats generally have a back portion terminatingat or about the shoulder level of a seat occupant, whereas high-backseats, as the name implies, have back portions that extend higher thanthe back portions of low-back seats. It is also generally the case thatthe uppermost back portion of high-back seats generally narrows relativeto the lower portion.

[0003] These different styles have necessarily led to the manufacture ofautomobile seat covers of different configurations that correspond toeach style. Efforts to devise so-called universal-fit seat covers, i.e.,covers that can fit both low-back and high-back seats, have employedsynthetic elastic or stretchable materials. Examples of such seat coversare disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,958,886. However, naturalmaterials, and, in particular, animal hides such as sheepskin remainvery popular for automobile seat covers, for both comfort and aestheticreasons. Because sheepskin is non-elastic or nonstretchable, it hastypically been necessary for manufacturers and retailers to design,manufacture and stock at least two versions of sheepskin seat covers,i.e., high-back and low-back versions. Attempts have been made to designuniversal seat covers where a portion of the seat cover consists ofsheepskin. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,549 discloses a seat coverhaving a sheepskin panel and a cap portion made of a stretchablematerial. However, for reasons of comfort, look, and marketability,there remains a need for universal seat covers that employ sheepskin.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention meets these and other needs and is directedto an automobile seat cover capable of being secured over both high-backand low-back automobile seats. In one aspect, the invention provides foran automobile seat cover having a seat portion connected to a backportion. The seat portion is formed of a surface panel and a side panelaffixed thereto. The back portion is formed of a forward panel affixedto upper and lower rear panels, the bottom edge of the upper rear panelextending below the top edge of the lower rear panel. The seat coveralso includes straps for securing the cover to the seat, as well asmaintaining a smooth custom fit appearance when the cover is securedover both low-back and high-back seats. These straps include a pluralityof first spaced-apart straps extend from the top edge of the upper rearpanel, and one or more second straps extend from the bottom edge of theupper rear panel. The straps can be secured under tension to the seatframe or to other straps originating from the seat portion of the coverin order to maintain the back portion of the seat cover in place.

[0005] In an embodiment of the invention, the surface panel of the seatportion and the forward panel of the back portion are formed of aninelastic material, such as an animal hide. In a preferred embodiment,these panels are formed of sheepskin. In another embodiment of theinvention, the side and rear panels are formed of an elastic material.

[0006] In yet another embodiment, a sleeve containing a drawstring isprovided along the top edge of the lower rear panel. A portion of thedrawstring extends through the sleeve. By pulling the extended portionand locking it in place against the sleeve, the top edge is placed intoand maintained in a constricted condition.

[0007] A more complete understanding of the invention will be apparentby reference to the following drawings and description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008]FIG. 1 is a bottom view of a seat cover according to oneembodiment of the invention showing the underside of the seat cover;

[0009]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the seat cover of anotherembodiment of the invention, oriented for mounting onto an automobileseat;

[0010]FIG. 3 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the seatcover of FIG. 1 mounted onto a high-back automobile seat; and

[0011]FIG. 4 is a perspective view, with parts broken away, of the seatcover of FIG. 1 mounted onto a low-back automobile seat.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Embodiments of seat covers according to the present invention aredepicted in FIGS. 1 and 2, respectively. Seat covers 10 and 11, asdepicted, both include seat portion 12 and back portion 30. As moreclearly shown in FIG. 2, the seat portion is configured to fit over andcover the seat portion of an automobile seat (not shown), and the backportion is configured to fit over and cover the back of an automobileseat, whether it be of the high-back or low-back variety. A plurality ofsecuring straps and hooks are provided for securing the seat cover tothe seat, as will be more fully described herein.

[0013] Seat portion 12 includes surface panel 14 that is configured togenerally correspond to and cover the seat surface of an automobileseat. Side panel 16 is affixed to the front and side edges of uppersurface panel 14 and extends downward therefrom. The side panel is thusconfigured to cover the front and side faces of an automobile seat. Thebottom edge of side panel 16 is rimmed with elastic hem 18. The hemserves to gather the bottom portions of the side panel under the seatitself when the seat cover is installed, helping to maintain seatportion 10 in place and providing for a smoother exterior appearance.Front elastic securing straps 20, 21, and 22 having hooks 23, 24 and 25,respectively, extend from the bottom front edge of panel 16. Similarly,side elastic securing straps 26 and 27 having hooks 28 and 29,respectively, extend from either side edge of panel 16. The straps andhooks are used to more firmly secure seat portion 12 to the automobileseat by securing the straps under tension. This can be accomplished, forexample, by securing the hooks to the underside frame of the automobileseat or by securing the hooks of opposing straps.

[0014] Back portion 30 includes forward panel 32 and upper and lowerrear panels 34, 40. Upper real panel 34 is affixed to upper and sideedges of forward panel 32 along top edge 35 and side edges 37, 38 of theupper rear panel. Lower real panel 40 is affixed to side edges offorward panel 32 along side edges 43, 44 of the lower rear panel. Lowerrear panel 40 is positioned such that an upper region of the lower rearpanel overlaps a lower region of upper rear panel 34. That is, bottomedge 36 of upper rear panel 34 extends below top edge 41 of lower rearpanel 40. Elastic hem 31 is secured along the bottom edge 42 of lowerrear panel 40 and serves to gather material at the bottom edge for asmooth appearance.

[0015] Back portion 30 is attached to seat portion 12. Specifically, thebottom edge of forward panel 32 of the back portion is affixed to therear edge of upper surface panel 14 of the seat portion. Elastic centersecuring straps 60 and 61 having hooks 62 and 63, respectively, extendfrom the junction of forward panel 32 and surface panel 14. When theseat cover is applied to a seat, these straps can be fed through thespace between the seat back and the seat itself, and then secured to theseat frame or to other straps originating from the seat cover.

[0016] Panels 14 and 32 are formed of an inelastic, non-stretchablematerial. Suitable inelastic materials include those woven or knit fromsynthetic or natural fibers, and others such as animal hides, e.g.,sheepskin or leather. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, theinelastic material is a sheepskin. Panels 16, 34 and 40 can be formed ofany suitable material, including synthetic and non-synthetic materials,although it is preferred that they have some elasticity. For aestheticreasons, it is preferable that materials of panels 14 and 32, and panels16, 34 and 40 are of a similar texture. For example, where surface andforward panels 14 and 32 are formed of sheepskin, rear panels 34 and 40can be formed of a stretchable synthetic fur material chosen to matchthe sheepskin in color and texture, thereby giving a pleasing overallappearance to the cover. The panels can be affixed to each other asdescribed above by stitching or other conventional means known in theart.

[0017] Sleeve 50 extends along top edge 41 of lower rear panel 40.Drawstring 46 extends through the sleeve, and is secured at either endat or near side edges 43, 44. A portion of the drawstring extends fromthe sleeve. By pulling on this extended portion of the drawstring, topedge 41 of lower rear panel 40 can be constricted. Barrel lock 52 isdisposed on the extending portion and can be employed to lock thedrawstring in place and maintain top edge 41 in a constricted condition.

[0018] Rear elastic securing straps 54, 55 and 56 extend along theinward facing sides of upper and lower rear panels 34 and 40, such thatthey are hidden from view when the seat cover is installed onto a seat.Straps 54, 55 and 56 include securing hooks 57, 58, and 59,respectively, for attachment to the seat frame or to securing hooks ofopposing straps originating from seat portion 12. In particular,securing straps 54 and 56 originate at spaced-apart locations along topedge 35 of upper rear panel 34. Securing strap 55 originates from bottomedge 36 of upper rear panel 34. As detailed below, these straps inconjunction with the design of rear panels 34 and 40 operate to providean adjustable seat cover that can fit either high-back or low-backseats.

[0019] Seat cover 11 of FIG. 2 has the added feature of storage pocket45 formed between the overlapping portions of upper and lower rearpanels 34 and 40. As depicted, pocket lining 48 extends from bottom edge36 of upper rear panel 34 and connects to top edge 41 of lower rearpanel 40 to form the storage pocket. The pocket lining can be formed ofa variety of suitable materials. The configuration and depth of thepocket can be altered by changing the shape and size of the pocketlining. It will be appreciated that a storage pocket can also be createdby securing the pocket lining at locations along lower rear panel 40 butbelow top edge 41.

[0020] To install the seat cover 10 onto either a low-back or high-backautomobile seat, the seat portion 12 is placed over the seat itself andback portion 30 is fitted over the seat back. The elastic straps areused to tighten down and secure the seat cover into place on the seat.As mentioned, the straps can be hooked onto the seat frame itself oralternatively, opposing hooks can be secured to one another to createthe appropriate tension on the seat cover. For example, side straps 26and 27 can be secured to one another. Similarly, front straps 20, 21 and22 can be secured to rear straps 54, 55 and 56, respectively.

[0021] As more clearly shown in FIG. 3, in the case of installation overa high-back seat, the seat back itself will essentially fill backportion 30. The elasticity of rear panels 34 and 40 provide for a snugfit and smooth appearance. By tightening drawstring 46 and securing itwith barrel lock 52, the back portion can be even more tightly cinchedonto the seat back. Tightening drawstring 46 also serves to close offthe opening to storage pocket 45 in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The barrellock and excess portion of the drawstring extending from sleeve 50 canbe tucked behind panel 40.

[0022]FIG. 4 shows cover 10 secured over a low-back seat. As seen,securing straps 54 and 56 impart a pulling force on the top of forwardpanel 32. This pulling force causes the top portion of panel 32 to bedrawn over the top and upper back portion of the seat itself. The resultis that the forward-facing panel 32 retains a smooth-fitting appearanceover the front portion of the seat back. At the same time, securingstrap 55 also imparts a pulling force on upper rear panel 34. Thisresults in a taking up of slack in rear panel 34 created when the top offorward panel 32 is drawn over the seat top by straps 54 and 56.Further, the elastic nature of panel 34 also takes up additional slackin the panel. Any additional excessive gathering or bunching of thematerial of panel 34 can be manually pushed behind the top region oflower panel 40. Again, by tightening drawstring 46 and securing it withbarrel lock 52, the entire back portion of the cover can be even moretightly cinched onto the seat back. The end result is that covermaintains a smooth, custom-fit appearance on a low-back seat. It will beappreciated that the design can also accommodate a wide variety of seatsizes ranging between high-back and low-back styles. In any such case,the operation of the straps and the rear panels yield a smooth, customfit appearance.

[0023] Although only certain embodiments have been illustrated anddescribed, those having ordinary skill in the art will understand thatthe invention is not limited to the specifics of these embodiments, butrather is defined by the accompanying claims.

I (we) claim:
 1. An adjustable automobile seat cover capable ofconforming to a high-back or low-back automobile seat, the covercomprising: a seat portion having a surface panel and a side panelaffixed to the surface panel; a back portion having a forward panel, andupper and lower rear panels, each panel having top, bottom and sideedges, the upper rear panel affixed to the forward panel along the topand side edges of each, the lower rear panel affixed to the forwardpanel along the side edges of each, the bottom edge of the upper rearpanel extending below the top edge of the lower rear panel; and aplurality of securing straps for securing the cover to the seat,including first spaced-apart securing straps extending from the upperedge of the top rear panel, and one or more second securing strapsextending from the bottom edge of the top rear panel.
 2. The seat coverof claim 1 wherein said surface and forward panels are formed of aninelastic material.
 3. The seat cover of claim 2 wherein said inelasticmaterial is sheepskin.
 4. The seat cover of claim 1 wherein said upperand lower rear panels are formed of an elastic material.
 5. The seatcover of claim 1 further comprising means for constricting the top edgeof the lower rear panel.
 6. The seat cover of claim 5 wherein saidconstricting means comprises a drawstring.
 7. The seat cover of claim 6further comprising a sleeve affixed to the top edge of the rear panel,wherein the sleeve contains the drawstring.
 8. The seat cover of claim 1further comprising a pocket lining extending from the bottom edge of theupper rear panel to the top edge of the lower rear panel.
 9. Anadjustable automobile seat cover capable of conforming to a high-back orlow-back automobile seat, the cover comprising: a seat portion having asurface panel and a side panel affixed to the surface panel; a backportion having a forward panel, and upper and lower rear panels, eachpanel having top, bottom and side edges, the upper rear panel affixed tothe forward panel along the top and side edges of each, the lower rearpanel affixed to the forward panel along the side edges of each, thebottom edge of the upper rear panel extending below the top edge of thelower rear panel; a plurality of securing straps for securing the coverto the seat, including first spaced-apart securing straps extending fromthe upper edge of the top rear panel, and one or more second securingstraps extending from the bottom edge of the top rear panel; and adrawstring for constricting the upper edge of the lower rear panel, thedrawstring extending through a sleeve affixed to the top edge of thelower rear panel.
 10. The seat cover of claim 9 wherein said surface andforward panels are formed of an inelastic material.
 11. The seat coverof claim 10 wherein said inelastic material is sheepskin.
 12. The seatcover of claim 9 wherein said upper and lower rear panels are formed ofan elastic material.
 13. The seat cover of claim 9 further comprising apocket lining extending from the bottom edge of the upper rear panel tothe top edge of the lower rear panel.
 14. An adjustable automobile seatcover capable of conforming to a high-back or low-back automobile seat,the cover comprising: a seat portion having a surface panel formed of aninelastic material and a side panel formed of an elastic materialaffixed to the surface panel; a back portion having a forward panelformed of an inelastic material, and upper and lower rear panels formedof an elastic material, each panel having top, bottom and side edges,the upper rear panel affixed to the forward panel along the top and sideedges of each, the lower rear panel affixed to the forward panel alongthe side edges of each, the bottom edge of the upper rear panelextending below the top edge of the lower rear panel; a plurality ofsecuring straps for securing the cover to the seat, including firstspaced-apart securing straps extending from the upper edge of the toprear panel, and one or more second securing straps extending from thebottom edge of the top rear panel; a drawstring for constricting theupper edge of the lower rear panel, the drawstring extending through asleeve affixed to the top edge of the lower rear panel; and a pocketlining extending from the bottom edge of the upper rear panel to the topedge of the lower rear panel
 15. The seat cover of claim 14 wherein saidinelastic material is sheepskin.